Europe

Last update 22.10.2017 | First published 20.5.2004

The complete reference on speed and traffic rules

IMPORTANT UPDATES:Albania and Kosovo are included on the map and in the lists (22.10.2017)Latvia is included with full details – under construction (19.10.2017)Slovakia is included with full details – under construction (12.10.2017)The Traffic Index which compares traffic fines across Europe was completely reworked and simplified (11.10.2017).The Czech Republic is included with full details (9.10.2017).

Information on this is difficult to find: I appreciate any comment, any correction. You may do this at the bottom of each page. Thank You!

conditionally: By repeated offences only
unconditionally: Minimum 18 days
1) By court only
2) Value is reduced with 50%. Will double to 100% if you do not pay on-the-spot – or within 8 days if you are a local
3) Value is reduced with 50%. Will double to 100% if you do not pay on-the-spot – or within 20 days if you are a local
4) Value is reduced with €45. Will increase to €135 if you do not pay on-the-spot – or within 15 days if you are a local

This is no call for unlawful behavior:
Drive safely and remember that speed does not necessarily kill. There is ONLY ONE WAY for drivers to set their speed at a safe level:
They must always choose a speed that allows them to stop comfortably, on their own side of the road, within the distance that they can guarantee to be clear.

On November 7th 2014 the EU adopted the Cross-Border Enforcement Directive. Drivers in most European states will see fines for some driving offences committed abroad sent to their home country. The directive covers eight offences: Drink driving, driving under the influence of drugs, speeding, running a red light, not wearing a seatbelt, motorcyclists not wearing a crash helmet, driving on the hard shoulder and using a mobile phone while driving. Foreign offenders will be fined the penalty payable in the country of the offence, even if fines vary across Europe.There is, however, no formal procedure to force payment at the moment. And the UK, Ireland and Denmark chose to not sign the treaty. Also it needs to be remembered that this procedure is in place only for automatic offences that occur (such as a speed trap). In other cases the driver stopped will be required to pay in cash.

71 Comments

Zoltán Deme
10.12.2017 @
11:56

Hi

Hungary:

up to 110km/h: +15km/h is allowed by the cameras.
110-130km/h: +20km/h is allowed by the cameras.

Terje, I know that it is Speeding Europe, but maybe we should have another subpage along with Europe and specific countries, that would be titled WORLD where we could share some info about non-European countries? What do you think?
P

Oman.* I know that Oman is in Asia, not Europe, but just in case somebody was interested.] In Oman you have roads in a great condition, often better than in Europe. Wide 2-5 lane highways, even country roads. It would be great if only: 1. some m….s put a speed bump throwing you up in the air in places you wouldn’t suspect them to be; 2. somebody didn’t put a speedcamera every few kms. 1. Speedbump in the Oman, similar to Emirates means something different than a speedbump in Europe. In Europe if you have a speed limit of let’s say 30kmh and a speedbump, you may most of the time go 30kmh and don’t experience a lift off while driving over the bump. It’s a for of saying ‘do not go faster than the limit’. In the Emirates you often have a 80 kmh limit just before the bump, but trying to drive over it at 80 kmh will give you an unexpected flying lesson (and you suspension will probably loose some parts)! The bumps are terrible and the only way to go smoothly over them is to stop in front of them or slow down to max 20kmh regardles what speed limit sign stays 20 before. 2. Omanis started following the anti-speeding hysteria recently. On some roads there is no speed cameras, on some they are everey 1-5 km there is a speed camera! The tolerance is from 10kmh over the limit to 20 kmh over the limit. The penalties are SAID TO BE VERY LOW! There is however a lot of police. My advice: follow the locals. If they speed over 10 kmh it means that the pictures are done at 11 kmh and above, if they go 19 kmh it means that you can also do so. The good news is that THERE IS NO INFORMATION EXCHANGE BETWEEN OMAN AND EMIRATES. So if you rented your car in Emirates and went to Oman you can make yourself feel like a star in flashlights, being photographed by paparazzi (ok, not realy ‘speedcameras’ 😉 ) and come back to Emirates without having to pay anything.
As in many places outside Europe a ‘highway’ does not necessarily mean dual carriageway with no crossings. Dual – yes, crossings maybe, so may be speedbumps, roundabouts etc. Watch you fuel! In urban areas you have gas stations every few dozen km, but if you drive out to the desert you may not see one for eg. 200km. If you are going there take a lot o water with you also.
Speed safely and don’t get caught!

Emirates.* I know that Emirates are in Asia, not Europe, but just in case somebody was interested.] In Emirates you have roads in a great condition, often better than in Europe. Wide 2-5 lane highways, even country roads. It would be great if only: 1. some m….s put a speed bump throwing you up in the air in places you wouldn’t suspect them to be; 2. somebody put a speedcamera every few kms. 1. Speedbump in the Emirates means something different than a speedbump in Europe. In Europe if you have a speed limit of let’s say 30kmh and a speedbump, you may most of the time go 30kmh and don’t experience a lift off while driving over the bump. It’s a for of saying ‘do not go faster than the limit’. In the Emirates you often have a 80 kmh limit just before the bump, but trying to drive over it at 80 kmh will give you an unexpected flying lesson (and you suspension will probably loose some parts)! The bumps are terrible and the only way to go smoothly over them is to stop in front of them or slow down to max 20kmh regardles what speed limit sign stays 20 before. 2. Unfortunately Emiratis follow the anti-speeding paranoia and the do it their way. Everey 1-5 km there is a speed camera on pretty every major road! The tolerance is from 10kmh over the limit to 20 kmh over the limit. The penalties are supposed to be high! My advice: follow the locals. If they speed over 10 kmh it means that the pictures are done at 11 kmh and above, if they go 19 kmh it means that you can also do so. It seems that there is worse in Dubai and it gets more relaxed while driving south.
Es in many places outside Europe a ‘highway’ does not necessarily mean dual carriageway with no crossings. Dual – yes, crossings maybe, so may be speedbumps, roundabouts etc. Watch you fuel! In urban areas you have gas stations every few dozen km, but if you drive out to the desert you may not see one for eg. 200km. If you are going there take a lot o water with you also.
Speed safely and don’t get caught!

Jordan.* I know that Jordan is in Asia, not Europe, but just in case somebody was interested.]
In Jordan you have roads in a worse condition than in Europe, but still you can drive them. Some are nice and even, some feature rough surfaces.The good news is that, there is very few speed cameras. The is A LOT OF POLICE standing on the shoulder of the road or some special post along the road,but most of the time THEY ARE NOT ABOUT SPEED. They’re more interested in terrorist stuff and general safety. Es in many places outside Europe a ‘highway’ does not necessarily mean dual carriageway with no crossings. Dual – yes, crossings maybe, so may be speedbumps, roundabouts etc. The problem is often the quality of asphalt. On Desert Highway, most of the time is more than rough in many parts. My average speed on the highway was slightly above 100 kmh. People drive in a very relaxed manner. They generaly do not use turn signals. Just slowly move to the other lane. I don’t know what are the fines for speeding unfortunately.
Speed safely and don’t get caught!

The Czech republic is relatively free country by money fines but generally strict by drive forbiddens. In Czech republic was introduced point system. Every driver start with zero and if collect 12 points then lose license for 1 year – no chance give them back after half. The point system also apllies for foreigners. If you don’t some point violation for 1 year after last point violation administrative officer delete 4 points from your account. Driver can also attend a certificated slide school at certificated location and delete 3 points each calendar year – it costs about 4.000 CZK (154 EUR) but driver mustn’t more than 10 points on account and on the training day no one for 6 and more points.

Stationary speed measure is new “cancer” who comes with new amendment to law. It added new practise of the administrative officer process and courts that user/owner of car is responsible for all offenses that someone do with his/her car unless the driver allow that drove concrete person. It could apply on speed, drive on redlight by automatic technical device used without operator and if policeman catch forbidden parking but doesn’t catch driver.

Most segmental measurements are well-visible using calibration lines on the road and cameras above the road. A warning is also common, but it isn’t require by law. Sometimes it is also measured from radar in roadside boxes or induction loops in the road.

Warnings on stationary measurnments in navigation are allowed.

Threre are four categories of road penalties for speeding:

Firstly is 0-5 km/h above in urban areas and 0-10 km/h outside urban areas => to 1.000 CZK/37 EUR on the spot (generally 500 CZK/18,5 EUR – it depends on what policeman you encounter + his mood, in ideal by law it is may on conditions – traffic, weather, pedestrians, cyclist…) or 1.500-2.500 CZK/58-96 EUR in case of disagree in administrative officer process no drivers ban, points, jail etc…
Second is 6-19 km/h above in urban areas and 11-29 km/h outside urban areas => the same money fine but +2 points.
Third is 20-39 km/h above in urban areas and 30-49 km/h outside urban areas => to 2.500 CZK/96 EUR + 3 points (generally 1.000 CZK/37 EUR – it depends on what policeman you encounter + his mood and your behavior, in ideal by law it is may on conditions – traffic, weather, pedestrians, cyclist…) or 2.500-5.000 CZK/96-192 EUR in case of disagree in administrative officer process also 3 points and 1-6 months driver ban warning if you do the same thing in to 1 years after firstly (chance to give them back after half).
Fourth is 40+ km/h above in urban areas and 50+ km/h outside urban areas => it could be solve only in administrative officer process for 5.000 – 10.000 CZK/192-384 EUR, 6-12 months driver ban + 5 points (chance give them back after half).

You have two chances – pay smaller penalty on the spot or higher penalty and 1.000CZK for administrative officer process. If you don’t agree with offense, you may (aspecially for foreigners) have to cash bail 3.500 – 50.000CZK/135 – 1923 EUR but it could be if maximal tax for traffic violation is 5.000 CZK/192 EUR and more + amount of the deposit mustn’t exceed of maximum amount of the fine that can be imposed for the offense.

Police officers sometimes try to keep the driver up and even if he don’t, he raises the fact that he was driving too fast and whether he is willing to pay the fine without any proof. I would like to see the photo, or transfer the case to administrative proceedings.

Overtaking forbidden => same restrictions as 40+ and 50+ over speed limits but 7 points.
Drive on redlight => same restrictions as 20-39 and 30-49 over speed limits but 5 points.
If you don’t use safety belt => to 2.000 CZK/74 EUR on the spot (generally 100-500 CZK/4-18,5 EUR it depends on what policeman you encounter + his mood, in ideal by law it is may on conditions – traffic, weather, pedestrians, cyclist…) or 1.500-2.500 CZK/58-96 EUR in case of disagree in administrative officer process + 3 points.
Drivers have to lights on whole year 24/7 – simply always => if not => to 2.000 CZK/74 EUR on the spot (generally 100-500 CZK/4-18,5 EUR – it depends on what policeman you encounter + his mood, in ideal by law it is may on conditions – traffic, weather, pedestrians, cyclist…) or 1.500-2.500 CZK/58-96 EUR in case of disagree in administrative officer process no drivers ban, points, jail etc…
You can’t hold mobil phone or other speech and recording equipment. => same as no lights, but with 2 points.

Summer tires has to 1,6mm tire tread pattern and winter tires 4 mm. Winter tires are require from 1.11. to 31.3. if possible ice/snow on the road or there is.

That’s speed tolerance means how much policeman have to reduce from measure speed. But generally state police mostly reduce 13-25 km/h – more in outside urban areas. The city police measure much less but with smaller tolerance.

To je dobre! Thank you for a very detailed decsripion. So, I understand that going 24-29 kmh over the limit on highways and 14-19 kmn in cities should be relatively safe, right? What speed would you say is ok in terms of relatively low risk of being caught and low penalty if got caught?
Best
Potocki

How would you describe, is there ‘a lot’ of speed control in Czech Republic or not? In Slovakia eg. they have a lot, happens to have 6 speed gun patrols in 50 km. In Poland eg. it’s much less. Usually 1-2 in 100-200 km.

1) I recommend for sure +13 tacho (about +9 to +11 real) and drive with smile and relax in urban areas. Outside urban areas i don’t say for sure but sometimes is +15 km/h tolerance, sometimes is +25 km/h – it depends on weather, traffic intensity, pedestrians and cyclist, but i say most on policeman, his mood and his/her chief – hard to say but +20 tacho may be safe everytime outside urban areas. But hard to say, some patrol don’t stop you for 160 tacho on speed, some patrols yes.

Especially I always transfer my violation to administrative process (they always make mistakes – if the appeal is written well and in the range of 10-20 pages, you probably always win – i had 6 wins at past), don’t agree with fine on the spot and drive free, relax, safety (look up on situation, no on tachometer) on high speeds. But it requires a lot of skills in practice of the courts and their conclusions and well speak czech. In case of lose you pay more + 1.000 CZK/37EUR process fee and you have one chance appeal with suspensive (in proceedings a regional fines administrative office) but if you too lose you may turn to court – costs 3.000 CZK court fee without lawyer – standardly no suspensive, but on demand mostly yes, last chance is cassation complaint to Supreme Administrative Court – 5.000 CZK court fee and you have to lawyer about for 20.000 CZK. You also risk a cash bail 135 – 1923 EUR as i wrote, especially if you foreigner and you will probably be unavailable for offense office.

Second chance is radar detector – absolutely legal and laser jammer – only for 5.000-10.000 CZK – no chance to drive ban and jail – only fine and be aware of hidden pasiv policeman cars – I wrote types in first post. Since the change of the law, when this amount of fines is set, I don’t know about a single case when the police tried to punish (it is time consuming, it is necessary to make an expert opinion, etc.). In the past, when a fine of up to CZK 100,000, I know 2 cases from of the whole Czech republic, when a fine of 15,000 and 50,000 CZK was imposed – but only in Pardubice.

2) Absolutely no. That’s good on Czech republic. There is a one of the strictest point system on the world (and 6-12 months drive ban for 40+ and 50+ speeding, forbidden overtaking) but very low police controls frequency aspecially those who measure speed. Relatively often stop by regular coloured police car and submit you breathe test for alcohol (sometimes in sort of peoples submit too on spit drug test), they also require a driving license, a technical card, insurance card, ID card, sometimes they want to see mandatory equipment, but I do not expect this in the case of a foreigner.

In the end – usually happens that no speed control on 300km trip in CZ, but you meet some standard coloured traffic patrols. But you probably meet stationary enforcement – segmental speed measure, redlight detection cameras, radar roadside boxes, induction loops in the road.

It will come soon, together with Slovakia 🙂
I also have enough info on Lithuania and Latvia to publish separate pages.
Does anyone know anything on Estonia? It would be nice to complete the Baltic states in one step …

Alcohol Tolerance is 0.00%, though the police is CAN (doesnt have to) to tolerate up to 0.03%.
Phone operations without a hands-free set is 50€.
Overtaking where it’s not allowed: 100€, if you endanger someone 150€, if you cause an accident : Court.
Red Light offense: 150€

Of course. Remember that I am only a one-man-band struggling to update info on a very complex object.
Tons of work. Please support with a click on any of the ads – it will at least give me a couple of cents 🙂

You are doing a great job Terje running this site! You are providing a priceless source of information for the people who still want to drive normally (according to road and traffic conditions) and not according to what somebody wrote on a roadsign surrounded by red circle.

500 EUR
1. driving a child under 12 y/o in the front passenger seat
2. blood alcohol level over 1.5
3. leaving the site of an accident if you were involved in it
4. not calling the police if you were involved in an accident
5. license plates different to those listed in your registration papers
6. driving while your license/registration/insurance is suspended/expired/doesn’t exist
7. refusing to take the alcohol/drugs test

Anybody knows the situation in United Arab Emirates and Oman? I know that the Middle East is not Europe, but maybe someone has got any experience. I am going there in Sept. I’ve heard that in some places (eg. Dubai) the limits are strictly followed and the penalties are huge. In other emirates, they say you can go full throttle with very little or no consequences. Thanks
Peter

Slovakia. There are hard times for drivers while going through Slovakia. The traffic police (usually in white and green cars, but hidden not to be seen) is everywhere and their tolerance for speeding is very little. I just paid 40 EUR for 65 in a 50 zone. The rates vary on the speed. I found something like this in the net:
In the city:

In Romania the fine is calculated in points and there are additional points added depending in gravity… One point means 10 % from minimum wage salary in the country, equivalent with approximately 27 euro. So for speeding over 21Km there is a fine of 2 or 3 points or 55-83 euro… at 15 points accumulated the license is suspended for 30 days. The points received at a given time are retracted after 6 months if there is no other points received in that period…

In mid August I got a notification from my car rental Avis that they have sent my address (I live in Sweden) forward to the French authorities for speeding (no one to blame but me). However 1,5 months later I’m still waiting for the fine from the French authorities. When I call the number Avis provided they just tell me it will come and they cannot give me any specifics on my case.
Question: How long does it normally take? I’m getting worried that the letter has been lost or something. I don’t want to be charged the higher fine or have a collector knocking my door for not receiving the letter. I don’t know how to find out.

You’ll find most info on the top link
All fines are 50% off and foreigners must pay them on the spot. For locals 50% off in the next 8 days.

All motor vehicles must use their passing lights when travelling on all roads, even in daylight. Fog lights can be used when visibility is reduced to less than 50 metres. Foreign drivers are recommended to carry a spare set of electric bulbs for their vehicle (compulsory for residents). A police can impose a fine on the spot for traffic violations; if the fine is paid within 8 days it is reduced by 50%. Visitors: Foreign drivers who refuse to pay a fine on the spot can have their passport and other documents taken from them and can be brought before a police court judge.

10 km/h zone (pedestrian area/calm traffic) has this sign -> http://www.signaco.si/znaki/obvestila/obvest52.jpg
I can’t stress enough how important is this sign. It is very rare but you can find it in areas near schools/parks and so on. Best practice is to slow down/stop and shift to 1st gear. Drive 41+ km/h in this zone and your licence is withdrawn!

Worthy of mention:
Lights off while daytime = 40 EUR
Lights off in tunnels / at night = 120 EUR
Driving +50k/h on a motorway/expressway = 1200 EUR and licence withdrawn
Not stoping the car while the other car has stopped near the pedestrian crossing = 500 EUR
Scissors overtaking / overtaking on corners = 700 EUR
Overtaking on the right = 120 EUR
Increasing speed while other car is overtaking you = 120 EUR
Not having safety distance = 120 EUR

thank you for such a informative site…i would just like to say that im fortunate i think that at the moment or maybee till next year at leasr if i speed as a a british driver im not likely to get a fine….but i read that a lot of speeding offences are from foregn divers is that not because they dont know were the camers are…but the locals do…ps maybe now we have opted out of europe we may not compete the exchange of information by 2017…

+20 up to 120 eur
+21-40 up to 400 EUR and licence might be suspended for 6 months
+41-60 up to 800EUR and licence might be suspended for 12 months
+61 to infinity up to 1200EUR and licence might be suspended for 24 months

Thank You, Ranel 🙂
Sorry I’m late with this response but this winter seems destined for a major update to Speedingeurope and new countries. I hope to be able to include Estonia and all the Baltic countries.

In the Netherlands an app called “Flitsmeister” got really big very quickly (700.000 users), which warns you for set speed traps (at one point as well as over a fixed distance), traffic distruptions, nearing emergency vehicles and since a while it’s also possible to send in stopped vehicles, bad road state and so on. The makers started adding other European countries too – it now works in almost every European countries (except Switzerland, where it’s illegal – in others radar detectors are illegal, not apps).

An attention-grabbing discussion is worth comment. I think that you must write extra on this matter, it won’t be a taboo subject however usually persons are not enough to talk on such topics. To the next. Cheers http://pcslotsonline.ru

UK:
The Association of Chief Police Officers has made a recommendation that the minimum speeds for prosecutions is the prevailing speed limit + 10% + 3 km/h I.e. 48 = 56, 96 = 109, 112 = 126. This is ONLY a recommendation.
Automatic fines have increased to £100 (€125) + 3 points (accumulate 12 points in a rolling 3 year period = 6 month compulsory ban and heavier fines).
Higher speeds: (close approximations).
Speed limit + 30% will not be dealt with automatically so will require a court visit, attract higher fines, 4-6 points and short bans begin to become an option.
Speed limit + 45% = minimum of 6 points, higher fines, bans of up to 2 months and heavy fines.
Speed limit + 55% = May be considered to be a more serious offence, particularly if there was an accident, which would take this into a much more serious category with long bans, more points, higher fines and potential term in prison.

in Lithuania:
1) you will get a fine from camera only for +23 km/h (on september 1-10 every camera will take picture for +3km/h but wont sent anything unless you get caught twice), police almost never stop you for a less than +23 km/h of speeding.
2) Drivers who have <2 years of experience cant drive faster than:
70km/h in countryside (not 90)
90km/h in highways (not 100/130)
IMPORTANT
3) you can only drive 130km/h in a road A1E85
in highways there are two speed limits:
April 1- October 31 SPEED LIMIT is 110 km/h
November 1- March 31 speed limit is 120km/h and 130km/h on A1E85
Thease speeds are ONLY for motorcycles and cars which weigh less than 3500kg and has less than 7 passenger seats.
FOR OTHER
speed limit for cars which weigh more than 3500kg or has more than 7 seats is 100km/h
speed limit for cars with trailer speed limit is 90km/h
speed limit for trucks is 80 km/h and for bus 90km/h
minimum speed on highway is 50km/h and 70km/h on A1E85
You will lose your DL for +53km/h

Thank You!
I’m getting closer to include Lithuania. But, as always, how is it it possible to make simple things like this so complicated?
The best thing would be to include all the Baltic states in one update. Does anyone have any relevant information on Estonia and Latvia?

So here it is for the Netherlands
Max speeds:
In towns 50
Outside towns 80 (or 100 on the ‘autoweg’ https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autoweg )
Motorway: 130 (the two current tables are not consistent. The first one still says 120)

Thank You, Dmitry! Do these fines apply to all zones, ie. urban, rural, motorways? Do you know if there Is any source on Lithuanian traffic rules/police reactions in a language I might understand (english, german)?

Important in Austria, exist a lot o speed cameras, sometimes you don’t see, are inside a metal box.
But the big problem is at the autobahn’s, you need a 3D sticker installed at the left side, in the middle of your windscreen.

The Sticker cost is 80 Euros and is valid until one year or 08 Euros valid until 10 days, the speed cameras find this stickers optically, if you don’t have automatically you will receive a ticket of 120 Euros(you can buy at the gas stations).

Hi, good information, do you know if there is a website where I can check if my car (plate #) has fine pending to be paid? i.e. if I was speeding and a trafic camera took me a picture? I am interested mainly in Austria.

Hi Terje,
A briliant site! Congrats! Drivers need it. It’s only a pity that you didn’t emphasize that in Germany there is still no general speed limit and there are places you can legaly see a ‘3xx’ number on your speedometer. I have a comment/correction for Poland for you. Can I have your email address?
Peter

Thank You, Peter. Sorry I’m late with this response, this is my mail: terje@enge.no.
And I thought that the message that Germany still has a no-limit speed was clear – it’s written in the subtitle.
But it should be clearer – I’ll improve this. THX for hint 🙂